Movies

Disney fined $36,000 after crew member fell to his death on Marvel TV set

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Disney fined $36,000 after crew member fell to his death on Marvel TV set

As a fervent advocate for worker safety and dignity, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of sorrow and anger upon reading about the tragic accident that claimed the life of Juan “Spike” Osorio. The circumstances surrounding his death are a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by countless unsung heroes in our industry, who labor tirelessly to bring our favorite stories to life.

Disney was penalized $36,000 by Cal/OSHA following the tragic death of Juan “Spike” Osorio, a lighting technician, who accidentally fell through a damaged catwalk while working on a Marvel TV show’s set in Studio City.

Approximately four months following the fatal accident where Osorio fell 41 feet during filming for “Wonder Man” at Radford Studio Center, the safety agency handed out penalties. This information was validated by a representative of IATSE, Hollywood’s crew union, to The Times. Variety initially broke this story.

In my role as a film enthusiast, I’m compelled to share an update: Radford Studio Center has been hit with a fine of $45,000 by Cal/OSHA. However, neither Disney nor Radford Studio Center officials have yet to offer their perspective on this matter, following my requests for comment made earlier this week.

Based on Cal/OSHA’s investigation summary, Osorio and other crew members were dealing with lighting cable equipment suspended from wooden platforms when a part of the catwalk beneath him gave way. The report mentions that the support for the catwalk was incorrectly fitted, aged, deteriorated, and weakened, possibly due to factors like age, environmental conditions, and continuous stress loads over several decades.

In simpler terms, during the incident, Osorio fell hard onto the ground, and soon after, emergency workers confirmed his passing. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was severe injuries to the head, neck, and legs from a traumatic impact.

“IATSE Local 728, the association of lighting technicians, expressed that the death of Spike was unnecessary and all workers should return unharmed at the end of each workday.”

Although we acknowledge and value the efforts made by the leading studios in upgrading their soundstages following this incident, it’s important to note that numerous non-Union facilities may not have the necessary resources or supervision to accomplish this. We are unwavering in our dedication to ensuring the safety of our members, and we will continue to ensure that our employers meet their legally mandated obligation to provide a secure and hazard-free workplace.

In May, Osorio’s wife Joanne Osorio-Wu and mother Zoila Osorio took legal action against Radford Studio Center in Los Angeles with a wrongful death claim. They alleged that the production facility failed to properly construct, maintain, inspect, repair, design, modify, and supervise work on a catwalk in a way that would ensure it was safe, leading to an unreasonable risk of injury or death for individuals using it.

The family is looking for both a jury trial and compensation to cover various costs, including losses of affection experienced in the past and future, medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and other related expenses.

According to Erika Contreras, the lawyer representing the Osorio family, the findings of the OSHA investigation indicate that Radford Studio Center neglected to carry out necessary maintenance, repairs, and inspections on their property.

The citations given to Radford Studio Center indicate that the death of Mr. Osorio could have been avoided, which is a tragic outcome. Regrettably, it was Mr. Osorio’s wife and mother who bore the significant cost of the shortcomings at Radford Studio Center.

Radford’s legal team asserts that there might have been negligence involved in the incident, potentially from Osorio or someone else.

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2024-08-24 02:31

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